Sync or Swim

For a few months now we were planning, discussing, talking and finally we’re going to do a youth camp. It’s not that easy to sell an idea. Investing in the youth meant not seeing immediate results, but you’d be able to see it five years from now, or ten years from now. I’ve seen a lot of lone ranger Christians, those who would do things on their own and then see them burn out or just simply fade away. It’s tragic. I’ve seen pastors try to study on their own and then struggle after years and years of solitude. It’s just sad. You see, we aren’t designed to do things alone. We are relational beings.

One of the main concerns we have is slow or stunted growth in the youth ministry. Looking back at the example of the early church, they were meeting regularly with one another and doing the “basic stuff”. With this in mind, we are reminded to Sync, from the word synchronize, which means “to be in harmony” or simply to do things together. While we can swim against the currents, it would be better to do things together, like the early church. Hence, this camp is a call to do things together, in prayer, in fellowship, in discipleship, in evangelism, in our devotions. The design for the entire camp is designed to build relationships with one another. It combines group dynamics with workshops as to intentionally push one another to sync with one another.

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)

The early church was “in sync”.

#1 The early church devoted themselves. They took the time to be intentional in what they were doing. They were being mindful of what they do. They knew where to put their focus on. They didn’t just logged in and logged out, they were purposefully doing what should be done.

#2 The early church focused on (a) Apostle’s teaching, (b) fellowship, (c) breaking of bread, (d) prayer. More than any other strategies, they were focused on the four. They didn’t have a one year plan, nor did they have gimmiks to draw the crowd. They knew what was essential and did what needed to be done.

#3 The early church were together. Not just in studying God’s word, they were regularly meeting together in their homes. They were together in the temple courts. Simply put it, they were together in everything that they do. There was no lone ranger among them.

#4 The results were encouraging. Everyone was in awe of what was happening as God was at work. There were signs and wonders, as well as numbers were added to them on a daily basis.

Hence, we need to be in sync. We need to get back to what is essential, and we need to focus on what need’s to be done.